I really love a good pop culture phenomenon.
There’s something so fun and exciting about connecting with masses of people you don’t know over a cultural icon or moment.
That’s why I’ve had such fun in the days leading up to the release of the new Barbie movie – and why I’m so glad Z and I went to see it opening weekend.
We may not have gotten Taylor Swift tix earlier this summer (I tried!) but yesterday at the movie theatre, my 13-year-old and I felt like we were part of a pink wave of awesomeness and a celebration of all things feminine.
It was so fun seeing that more than half the people at our theatre also dressed up to show excitement for Barbie! Likewise, I have seen many friends sharing their results from the Barbie image generator on their social feeds (come on, try it!)
Z and I even decorated pretty Barbie-themed cookies the night the film opened. We love buying cookie kits from my friend Marna and these pink-on-pink Barbiecore cookies were our favorites yet.
I’m still processing the amazingness of the Barbie movie itself. I definitely need to see it one more time in the theatre.
The funny thing is that I’ve never been the biggest Barbie fan. I never found the doll or her brand all that empowering, so I didn’t get Z super into Barbies either.
But this new Greta Gerwig take on Barbie is another story. This movie is all about female empowerment, girl power, taking down the patriarchy and so many other good things.
Plus it’s fun, funny, a festive feast for the eyes and features amazing performances. Margot Robbie was great as Barbie and Ryan Gosling stole the show with his singing and dancing Ken. Issa Rae was another standout for me as President Barbie and delivered likely the funniest line of the film.
Here are my top 5 favorite things about Greta Gerwig’s 2023 masterpiece, the Barbie movie. I’m going to try to do this without spoiling the plot.
1. The fun little “doll” moments in Barbieland. There were so many tiny, whimsical elements that took me back to playing with Barbies as a young girl. I’m talking about the funny high-arched feet, suddenly being in the car without actually walking to or getting in the car, and eating or drinking without really eating or drinking.
2. The wokeness. It’s not secret that the conservative right is hating this movie, and that just makes me love it even more. Yes, Barbie is woke – diversity and inclusion are in and so is love for all! No, Barbieland is not man-hating, just anti-patriarchy. Deal with it, Kens.
3. The mother-daughter duo at the movie’s core. I can’t say much more without spoiling, but just know that there are two characters you haven’t met yet and they are AMAZING. “We mothers stand still so their daughters can look back to see how far they’ve come.”
4. The aesthetic. Maybe it’s because I came up in the 1980s, but I adore these pink perfection vibes. There’s room in Barbieland for being different and quirky – heck, for being absolutely anything you can dream up. And it all looks so darn good!
5. The ode to the impossibility of being a woman under the patriarchy. America Ferrara delivers a monologue or two that gave me goosebumps, chills and tears – all at the same time. There was a spontaneous applause moment in the middle of our Barbie showing. Watch it and you’ll know exactly when it happened!
I won’t say another word about this film, other than it’s my pick for the best movie of 2023.
Go see Barbie with your mother, daughter, girl friends or by yourself. Let me know in the comments below what you thought!
